Causes

The virus that causes genital warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 70 different types of HPV exist. Certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix, cervical cancer, or anal cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.

Precancerous changes in the cervix

Cervical dysplasia refersto abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that open...

Cervical cancer

Not all types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types of HPV cause warts on other parts of the skin, such as the hands. This article focuses on warts on the genitals.

HPV infection around the genitals is common. Most people have no symptoms. In women, HPV can spread to areas inside, on the walls of the vagina and cervix. They are not easy to see without special procedures.

Important facts about HPV:

HPV infection spreads from one person to another through sexual contact involving the anus, mouth, or vagina. You can spread the warts even if you do not see them.

You may not see warts for 6 weeks to 6 months after becoming infected. You may not notice them for years.

Not everyone who has come into contact with the HPV virus and genital warts will develop them.

You are more likely to get genital warts and spread them more quickly if you:

Have multiple sexual partners

Do not know if you had sex with someone whohad STIs

Are sexually active at an early age

Use tobacco and alcohol

Have a viral infection such as herpes and are stressed at the same time

Are pregnant

Have a weakened immune system due to an illness or medication

If a child has genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.

The correct answer is all of the above. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Over 40 types affect the genitals and put you at risk for cancer. Talk to your doctor about how to protect yourself from HPV.

HPV can lead to the following cancers:

The correct answer is all of the above. Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. If you are age 26 or younger, talk with your doctor about getting a vaccine to prevent HPV.

Signs of HPV include:

The correct answer is all of the above. HPV is best known for causing genital warts. When present, genital warts rarely cause any symptoms. Around one half of people infected with HPV have no genital warts. So you could have HPV and not know it. If you are sexually active, talk with your doctor about HPV screening.

Using latex condoms correctly completely prevents you from catching or spreading HPV:

The correct answer is false. Condoms may not fully protect you because the virus can spread to the areas of the genitals not covered by the condom. However, condoms do greatly reduce the risk, so you should still use them when you have sex.

HPV vaccines can protect you from getting some forms of cancer.

The correct answer is true. The FDA approved two HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. Both help prevent the two types of HPVs that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Talk to your doctor about whether these vaccines are right for you.

HPV vaccines are only available for girls and women.

The correct answer is false. One of the two vaccines available to protect against HPV, Gardasil, is approved for use in boys and young men from age 9 through 26. The vaccine protects against genital and anal warts. Talk to your doctor about how to get vaccinated.

If you do not have genital warts, there is no way to diagnose HPV infection.

The correct answer is false. Your health care provider can look for signs of HPV infection during a pelvic exam or send a sample of tissue to be tested for HPV. Pap smear results may sometimes show signs of HPV infection. Even if you don’t have symptoms of HPV, it’s important to get screened for the disease.

Doctors can get rid of HPV warts in the following ways:

The correct answer is all of the above. If your warts don’t disappear, your doctor can prescribe medication or physically remove the warts by freezing them, burning them, surgically removing them or using laser treatments. Talk to your doctor to find the right treatment for you.

HPV can't be spread unless you have visible warts.

The correct answer is false. Experts believe that when a wart is present, the virus may be more easily spread, but HPV can still be spread even without any visible warts. Avoid having sex until you have finished treatment and any warts have healed. Always use a condom when you have sex.

Vaginal bleeding

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam.

In women, this will include a pelvic examination. Magnification (colposcopy) is used to spot warts that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Your doctor may place watered-down vinegar (acetic acid) on the area. This helps better see any warts.

Colposcopy

A colposcopy is a special way of looking at the cervix. It uses a light and a low-powered microscope to make the cervix appear much larger. This he...

Surgical excision

If you have genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provider and treated if warts are found. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, you must be treated to prevent complications and spreading the condition to others.

You will need to return to your health care provider after treatment to make sure all the warts are gone.

Regular Pap smears are recommended if you are a woman who has had genital warts, or if you partner had them. If you had warts on your cervix, you may need to have Pap smears every 3 to 6 months after the first treatment.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Many sexually active young women become infected with HPV. In many cases, HPV goes away on its own.

Most men who become infected with HPV never develop any symptoms or problems from the infection. However, they can pass it on to current and sometimes future sexual partners.

Even after you have been treated for genital warts, you may still infect others.

Possible Complications

Some types of HPV have been found to cause cancer of the cervix and vulva. They are the main cause of cervical cancer.

The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.

The warts may become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor if:

A current or past sexual partner has genital warts

You have visible warts on your external genitals, itching, discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Keep in mind that genital warts may not appear for months to years after having sexual contact with an infected person.

You think a young child might have genital warts

Women should begin having Pap smears at age 21.

Prevention

Not having sexual contact is the only way to avoid genital warts and other STIs. You can also decrease your chance of getting an STI by having a sexual relationship with only one partner who you know is disease-free.

Male and female condoms cannot fully protect you. This isbecause the virus or warts can be on nearby skin. Condoms reduce your risk and you should still use them at all times. HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.Practicing safer sexcan help prevent you from getting HPV.

Safer sex

Safe sex means taking steps before and during sex that canprevent you from getting an infection, or from giving one to your partner.

Two vaccines are available that protect against four of the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers in women. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26.

One of the two vaccines protects against genital and anal warts in boys and men. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is recommended for boys and men ages 9 to 26.